The Multi-Laser Gestural Controller

James Meason Wiley

The Multi-Laser Gestural Controller is a newly developed musical controller which uses reflective laser light to send control messages that can be used to create music and control live video. Control messages can be created by breaking the laser light with the hand (on/off), or by moving the hand up and down within the laser light (continuous), which is reflected back onto a photocell housed directly underneath the laser module. The photocell responds to the fluctuation in (or lack of) reflected light which causes an increase or decrease in resistance within the circuit, allowing for the changes in voltage to be registered by a microchip. The laser controller can be used to control drum machines, play software (even hardware) instruments, trigger live effects, etc. It can even be used to control and/or edit video on the fly.